JD Vance Denied Entry at Primanti Bros in PA, Where Harris Was Welcomed; Boycott Ensues

Sep 28, 2024, 09:26 PM

Senator JD Vance, the Vice Presidential nominee, faced complications during a scheduled campaign stop at Primanti Bros restaurant in North Versailles, Pennsylvania. Despite having prior approval for the visit, a restaurant worker informed the campaign upon arrival that cameras were not allowed and that they did not want a campaign event on the premises. Consequently, Vance greeted supporters in the parking lot. Conflicting reports emerged, with some stating that Vance was denied service, while others claimed he was not turned away. Primanti Bros, a cultural touchstone in Pittsburgh akin to getting a cheesesteak in Philadelphia, is owned by New York-based private equity firm Garnett Station Partners, which manages over $2.3 billion in assets and operates 44 locations. The incident led to calls for a boycott among Trump and Vance supporters, particularly noting that Vice President Kamala Harris had previously been welcomed at the restaurant. Primanti Bros later stated that Vance was not barred from the visit after a viral video circulated. Vance reportedly paid for the orders of approximately 50 supporters and handled the situation with composure.